(6th March 1957, the day we will not forget)
Today, the 6th of March 2010, the people of Ghana and freedom fighters around the world are celebrating the 53rd independence day of Ghana. Ghana was the first African country to gain its independence. The British colonial rule which followed the Dutch, who took over from the Portuguese, was brought to an historical end by Kwame Nkrumah, CPP, Farmers, trade unionists, and the courageous people of Ghana. It was the 6th of March 1957 when Dr. Kwame Nkrumah said these historical words: “Ghana our beloved country is free forever!” “The Independence of Ghana is meaningless unless it is linked up with the total liberation of the African continent.” For the African countries, especially the sub-Saharan Africa, it was an inspirational event, which led to the freedom and independence of many African countries.
With the country’s rich natural resources the economy was promising at the time of Independence Day. Ghana was the leading cocoa exporter in the world and produces one tenth of the world’s gold. Comparing to other colonies at the time the population had a high literate and was looking at a brighter day.
Independence Day is like Christmas day in Ghana. I remember as a child how all the festivities fascinated me, even before I fully became aware of the meaning of the word independence. On this day, we raise the flag to the sky, the red gold and green colors are seen all over, and young men and young women, our parents and grand’s all joined to sing the national anthem “God bless our homeland Ghana”, with pride on our faces and enjoyment in our hearts. At school we used to have sport, amusement and other festivities. The older classes used to parade and marched against other schools in an annual Independence Day marching competitions. It was so beautiful; I patiently waited for the day I could take part in the marching competitions. This was from the 8th grade. Unfortunately we left for the Netherlands before I could have my march. Every Independence Day the thought that first comes to mind is how I wanted to march for my school and family to see. To this day I still cherish that idea.
To my fellow country men and women: I wish you a Happy Independence Day. The courageous people of Ghana, we are free people, carrying on tradition.
Ghana National Anthem Lyrics
(Written by Dr. Michael Kwame Gbordzoe)Ghana
Hail the Name of Ghana
God bless our homeland Ghana,
And make our nation great and strong,
Bold to defend for ever
The cause of Freedom and of Right;
Fill our hearts with true humility,
Make us cherish fearless honesty,
And help us to resist oppressors’ rule
With all our will and might for evermore.
(repeat previous two lines)Hail to thy name, O Ghana,
To thee we make our solemn vow:
Steadfast to build together
A nation strong in Unity;
With our gifts of mind and strength of arm,
Whether night or day, in mist or storm,
In every need, whate’er the call may be,
To serve thee, O Ghana, now and evermore.
(repeat previous two lines)Raise high the flag of Ghana
And one with Africa advance;
Black Star of hope and honour
To all who thirst for Liberty;
Where the banner of Ghana freely flies,
May the way to freedom truly lie;
Arise, arise, O sons of Ghanaland,
And under God march on for evermore!
(repeat previous two lines)